United Nations Convention Against Torture

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (United Nations Convention against Torture) is an international human rights instrument, under the review of the United Nations, that aims to prevent torture around the world.

The Convention requires states to take effective measures to prevent torture within their borders, and forbids states to transport people to any country where there is reason to believe they will be tortured.

The text of the Convention was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1984 and, following ratification by the 20th state party, it came into force on 26 June 1987. 26 June is now recognised as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, in honour of the Convention. As of September 2012, the Convention had 151 parties.

Read more about United Nations Convention Against Torture:  Summary, Optional Protocol, Committee Against Torture

Famous quotes containing the words united, nations, convention and/or torture:

    Television is an excellent system when one has nothing to lose, as is the case with a nomadic and rootless country like the United States, but in Europe the affect of television is that of a bulldozer which reduces culture to the lowest possible denominator.
    Marc Fumaroli (b. 1932)

    The soldier takes pride in saluting his Captain,
    The devotee proffers a knee to his Lord,
    Some back a mare thrown from a thoroughbred,
    Troy backed its Helen, Troy died and adored;
    Great nations blossom above,
    A slave bows down to a slave.
    William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)

    The metaphor of the king as the shepherd of his people goes back to ancient Egypt. Perhaps the use of this particular convention is due to the fact that, being stupid, affectionate, gregarious, and easily stampeded, the societies formed by sheep are most like human ones.
    Northrop Frye (b. 1912)

    It is cruelty to children to keep five-year-olds sitting still, gazing into vacancy even for one hour at a time. We have little idea of the torture we thus inflict.
    Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards (1842–1911)